Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-01-28

MR.. HARDIE : ADMIRABLE PORTRAIT OF MIR
BROOKS AND now TT CAME TO BIZ PAINTED
VARIOUS NOTES or INTEREST
ON the first day of January, 1856. The
Phoenix printed the accompanying illustra
tion of the Brooks Library Building, with "a
detailed description of the building as it was
90 be. made up from the architect plan,
which had then just been completed To-
day the promise of "a year ago is an nccom.
plished reality The new building stands
complete and perfect m every particular.
and on Tuesday evening the public exer-
cises were held which dedicated the struc-
turc 10 the use for which its giver erected
it and formally placed it in the hands of the
people of Bratjlchoro for their use forever
verbatim report of these proceedings Is
given herewith The man whose broad
public spirit and appreciation of the educa
tiounl and intellectual requirements Of tin,
times inspired the gift, and WHOSE generos
ity and business ability gave it shape and
carried it to the eve of completium passed
away just as he ready D. grasp the full
pleasure and hirs4lne of ms gift hy present
ing it to his toWnsmeu 10y his own hand
but TIN, sudden dlspensation brought it,
own blessing and compensation 10y doubling
the umpressivencs> of the gift L. our people
and making them feel more deeply than
they could otherwise have done the excel
lent spirit which animated its giyer As
was happily said 10y one Of the speakers on
j .l.t.
ter than he knew. for IN erecting this libra
brary for his townsmcn he has builded in
in their hearts AN enduring monument t.
his memory
The deep interest which our people hay,
felt IN tins enterprise was evidenced by tn,
very general response to the announcement
that the new building would be open foi
the inspection of the public ON Tuesday
From early morning till late at night tn,
visitors came and went Much of the tim,
the different rooms were thronged and tn,
expressions of admiration and satisfaction
were universal our people had been pre-
pared to sec building complete and hand
some in all It's appointments but the rich
ness elegance, and quiet harmony Of its in
terror surpassed their expectations an,
came as "A delightful surprise
But with all the delight and satisfaction
which found expression during the day anC
evening there was mingled an undercurrenr
of sadness. The involuntary thought il
every mind was, IF Mr. Brooks could but
have lived to see this day" Those VIII,
knew him best pictured 10 themselves tn,
quiet but none the less evident delight
which he would have had IN witnessing al
the proceedings taking his townsmen by
the hand, and receiving their congratula
tions, For 10 Mr. Broukss most intimat,
friends it was new revelation To lind VIVA
deep and evident pleasure he had in tn,
words of commentator and appreciation
so freely given him by the people Of Brat
tleboro during the past season.
That Mr. Brookss cup of happines
would have been full could he have lived I,
be present at the evening exercises there i
no room for doubt 1t would have been hi
ample and sufficient reward 10 have locke,
into the faces of the people who crowde,
the town hall in every part, and To hav,
READ there their feeling OF pride and happi
ness IN the good fortune which had come {,
them Not even standing room was left
and it is doubtful if the hall has ever held
greater throng Of people. On the platform
besides the president and orator of the even
ing, there were seated Mr. Brookss execu
tors, the library trustees named by him, tn
free library trustees ON the part of the town
the clergy, and many of the elderly am
more prominent citizens of Brattleboro.
The exercises opened promptly at 7:3
with a selection by the Philharmonic orche.
ira Rev. C.. Ii. Merrill of West Brattl,
borp then offered prayer in the followin
language